Make your first TPT Product in 6 EASY Steps!

Have you ever wanted to make your own TPT product, but you just didn't know how to start? Here's how I did it, and you can too!  Before anything make sure you have an idea.  It should be something you've tried before with your classroom and that you enjoyed doing.  Also, search for your product idea on TPT to make sure there are not a million of the same thing! Click here to sign up as a seller!

Most TPT teacher authors design their products on powerpoint because it's easier to build a page since every element is separate, and you can move each part around (example, your text is separate from your page frame which is separate from your clip art, etc in word, all of these things are tied together,so you can't move them around very easily)

Step 1: Set up your blank canvas

Open Powerpoint

Go to File

Drop down to New

Click Design

          Slide Size

          Custom

              Slides sized for letter paper  8.5x11

              Orientation Portrait

Viola!  You're ready to start your business!

Step 2: Make your cover page!

This is the fun part.  You can add picture/text by going to Insert on the main menu bar.  You will use pictures and insert text box the most!  This is where you can play with free clip art and free fonts you may have downloaded from TPT.  

Here's a link outside of TPT that allows free fonts for commercial use Kevin and Amanda Free Fonts. Whenever you download a font, make sure the font owner ALLOWS you to use the font in a commercial product.  There should be a "terms and conditions" page to fonts you are downloading.  You can find them in the file of the font usually or from the website you are downloading from.

Here's a link for how to install fonts:  Installing fonts on a Windows PC   I usually just right click the font and clip "install", but every operating system is different. 

You should start with a piece of digital scrapbook paper as a nice background. Try typing in "free cover pages" or "free digital paper" on TPT  

Here's a cute one I found:

Free Sparkly Cover Page

Key Tip: as you go adding free or paid clip art to your product.  Write down the seller name you are getting it from. You will need to add their information to the final page of your product to give them "credit".  Most clip artists will put an extra picture in their file called "button", that's an easy picture you can add to your credits page to give them credit.

Once you have a background, add some clip art and text!

You can find this adorable back to school clip art set by going to Johnston Kindergarten Corner and clicking free download! I found the fonts for free here: Free Fonts by my lunchbox

Step 3:  Add Content!

 Go to Insert:

             New Slide

Now you can begin adding in the information you want to share with the world! Before you start, remember to add in a border, to make your sheets look more professional.  I recommend: Free Borders by Catherine S.  There are hundreds to choose from, but I was looking for a meaty free set to show you, and this one fit the bill!

Again, write down who's clip art you are using because you will need to credit them on your final page!

Here's my example:

     This is a typical "printable" layout. Notice how I put my website at the bottom of the page.  You will want to put your store name or website along with the year you made the product at the bottom of your page as well.  Make it small but readable.  This way people can easily find you and it also protects your work!

Step 4:  Keep adding content!  TPT requires that your first product is offered for free: this is so people can sample the quality of your work.  You can change your freebie once you have more products, but just remember your first upload to TPT will be free. Also this first product should be under 10 pages in length. Remember, it's just going to be a "sample" of your future work.

Step 5: Add a final credits page.   On this page, you should thank people for downloading and/or purchasing your product.  I would add in a little information about you- your store name, your picture, other future plans.  Then, of course you will need to credit all the amazing artists that helped you make your product.  Remember to go back to the clip artist folders to place their button on your credits page. If you lost their folder remember to credit them at least by name on your page.

Here's my example:

Notice how my credits page mirrored my cover page. I used the same cover.  You will want to put links to all of your social media on here as well as an easy way to contact you.  Many sellers write in a "terms of service" as well stating that this product can only be used by one teacher in one classroom, ie, don't give it away to everyone!  I also put a button for each one of my artists.  Credits page is a lot of work, but it is essential to add to each one of your products.

Step 6: Publish your product as a pdf file and upload it to TPT.
 File
   Save As
     Save As Type:
        pdf

A pdf file format will flatten all of your work.  Many sellers take an extra step by securing their documents through adobe acrobat pro.  Here's a link on how to do that extra step.  pdf file on how to secure your pdf file :)

Now you have your first product for upload on TPT.  If you still haven't made a sellers account, you can click here to do so:  Sign up to sell on TPT!

Once you're a seller, you can go to My TPT: My Dashboard: and click the big red button that says ADD NEW PRODUCTS to upload your first freebie!  I found the upload tool to be very easy and understandable.

I hope you found this newbie post easy to follow!  Feel free to ask me any questions you have in the comments!  Take Care!